Depletion of natural resources Then: 1. One of the major causes for Rome’s expansion was that they were running out of natural resources, especially wood, which was need for mining, heating, and creating other metals and ceramics. 2. Rome began to run out of grain to provide for its people, so they conquered areas that could grow grain. This led to the Punic Wars with Carthage. 3. Rome ran out of metals like gold and iron, so they conquered northern europe. 4. Romans would burn trees in order to create more pasture land or for military uses. 5. Thousands of wild animals were killed in the time of the Colosseum during games and shows. 6. When Rome began to conquer different places, they would receive their natural resources. They got tin from England, wood from Germany, cotton from Egypt, and silver from Spain. 7. Originally, Rome paid its soldiers with loot from conquering new lands. However, there were no new lands to conquer and Rome had no way to pay its soldiers. 8. Rome conquered Spain and parts of Africa that had large gold and silver mines. However, these metals began to run out. 9. Rome began to run out of silver, which they used to create their coins. The purity of the metals in coin began to decrease, and the coins had less value.
Now:
1. Phosphates, which are important for fertilizers and agriculture, is a non-renewable resource that lately has been experiencing shortages.
2. America usually relies on oil from other countries, which causes expensive [[#|gas prices]]. However, fracking offers a possible alternative to foreign oil.
3. America has the Natural Resource Defense Council, which enforces the protection of wildlife, natural resources, and natural environments.
4. For many people in parts of Africa, there is very little water that is clean. There are many charities that provide other ways to get water, such as water wells.
5. Industry has begun to push out wildlife and trees. Laws are put in place to regulate the use of trees. Also, there are sanctuaries that are protected by the [[#|government]]. Finally, many industries have private tree farms or plantations to grow trees so that they can easily regrow and monitor the amount of trees available for use.
6. On average, a U.S. soldier is paid less than many other jobs (with similar experience). The government gives soldiers other benefits though, such as very [[#|low cost health]] care, good pension, and a secure job.
Expert Contact: Dr. Gil Bohrer, Ohio State Assistant Professor of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering.
Response: -What [[#|types of engineering]] we have today that are used to spend natural resources more efficiently, so that they are not used so quickly? Almost every field of engineering uses the principle of sustainability as part of [[#|the design]]. Making something more sustainable means making it such that it will deplete resources more slowly and will leave a smaller negative impact on the environment. In environmental engineering improved sustainability is typically the goal of most projects. Nonetheless, the goal of sustainability can also guide other fields of engineering, for example when [[#|chemical engineer]] design a new material for batteries or a new type of plastic they would prefer a material that will degrade faster and be less (or non) toxic. Similarly when mechanical engineer design a new [[#|power generation]] turbine, or a new type of car engine they’ll prefer one that more energy efficient and less polluting.
-What replacements are there for the natural resources such as silver, gold, and lumber in various projects like building and trade? Silver and gold are tough examples. They have many and very different uses, and in some cases could be replaced by plastic or other metals but depends on the type of use. For example, if you use them as ornamental objects (jewelry) you can replace them by plastic (will look almost as good, not necessarily achieve the desired impact). If you use them as tools (e.g. silverware to eat with) other, more common metals (nickel, brass) can replace them. In some other uses e.g. gold is needed for electric circuits it is very hard to replace it.
-How can non-renewable (and renewable) resources be reused or put back into the environment?
Reuse is always the easiest way, just use the resource again for the same thing it was designed for (bring plastic bags from previous use to the supermarket instead of using new ones) or for another use (use supermarket plastic bags to wrap your trash instead of using a new trash bag). Recycle is also a good way – separate the used resources to its different materials, reprocess those materials and use it as raw material for new tools and applications.
Dr. Bohrer,
I am a seventh grade student and Nagel Middle School in Cincinnati, Ohio. In my social studies class, we are researching the problems that led to the downfall of Rome, in an effort to think of ways to prevent or possibly fix them. My assigned topic is the concern of Rome's overuse of natural resources. In addition to the research I've already done, I would very much appreciate if you'd answer some questions I still have about environmental engineering.
-What types of engineering we have today that are used to spend natural resources more efficiently, so that they are not used so quickly? -What replacements are there for the natural resources such as silver, gold, and lumber in various projects like building and trade? -How can non-renewable (and renewable) resources be reused or put back into the environment?
Finished Prezi
Depletion of natural resources
Then:
1. One of the major causes for Rome’s expansion was that they were running out of natural resources, especially wood, which was need for mining, heating, and creating other metals and ceramics.
2. Rome began to run out of grain to provide for its people, so they conquered areas that could grow grain. This led to the Punic Wars with Carthage.
3. Rome ran out of metals like gold and iron, so they conquered northern europe.
4. Romans would burn trees in order to create more pasture land or for military uses.
5. Thousands of wild animals were killed in the time of the Colosseum during games and shows.
6. When Rome began to conquer different places, they would receive their natural resources. They got tin from England, wood from Germany, cotton from Egypt, and silver from Spain.
7. Originally, Rome paid its soldiers with loot from conquering new lands. However, there were no new lands to conquer and Rome had no way to pay its soldiers.
8. Rome conquered Spain and parts of Africa that had large gold and silver mines. However, these metals began to run out.
9. Rome began to run out of silver, which they used to create their coins. The purity of the metals in coin began to decrease, and the coins had less value.
Citations:
. "Roman Period- Environmental History Timeline." Environmental History Resources. N.p.. Web. 15 Jan 2013. <http://www.eh-resources.org/timeline/timeline_roman.html>.
. "Ecoscience- The Greeks and Romans Did It, Too!." Mother Earth News. N.p.. Web. 15 Jan 2013. <http://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-community/greeks-and-romans-
Now:
1. Phosphates, which are important for fertilizers and agriculture, is a non-renewable resource that lately has been experiencing shortages.
2. America usually relies on oil from other countries, which causes expensive [[#|gas prices]]. However, fracking offers a possible alternative to foreign oil.
3. America has the Natural Resource Defense Council, which enforces the protection of wildlife, natural resources, and natural environments.
4. For many people in parts of Africa, there is very little water that is clean. There are many charities that provide other ways to get water, such as water wells.
5. Industry has begun to push out wildlife and trees. Laws are put in place to regulate the use of trees. Also, there are sanctuaries that are protected by the [[#|government]]. Finally, many industries have private tree farms or plantations to grow trees so that they can easily regrow and monitor the amount of trees available for use.
6. On average, a U.S. soldier is paid less than many other jobs (with similar experience). The government gives soldiers other benefits though, such as very [[#|low cost health]] care, good pension, and a secure job.
Citations:
Mayar, Chris. "The Greatest Resource Shortage You've Never Heard Of." n. page. Web. 15 Jan. 2013. http://dailyreckoning.com/the-greatest-resource-shortage-youve-never-heard-of/.
"High Gas Prices: Supply, Demand and the Oil Industry’s Monopoly on Transportation." n. page. Print. http://www.nrdc.org/energy/gasprices/.
"The Water Project." n. page. Print. <http://thewaterproject.org/how-to-give-clean-water.php>.
Bohrer, Gil. E-mail Interview. 19 Jan 2013.
Expert Contact: Dr. Gil Bohrer, Ohio State Assistant Professor of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering.
Response:
-What [[#|types of engineering]] we have today that are used to spend natural resources more efficiently, so that they are not used so quickly?
Almost every field of engineering uses the principle of sustainability as part of [[#|the design]]. Making something more sustainable means making it such that it will deplete resources more slowly and will leave a smaller negative impact on the environment. In environmental engineering improved sustainability is typically the goal of most projects. Nonetheless, the goal of sustainability can also guide other fields of engineering, for example when [[#|chemical engineer]] design a new material for batteries or a new type of plastic they would prefer a material that will degrade faster and be less (or non) toxic. Similarly when mechanical engineer design a new [[#|power generation]] turbine, or a new type of car engine they’ll prefer one that more energy efficient and less polluting.
-What replacements are there for the natural resources such as silver, gold, and lumber in various projects like building and trade?
Silver and gold are tough examples. They have many and very different uses, and in some cases could be replaced by plastic or other metals but depends on the type of use. For example, if you use them as ornamental objects (jewelry) you can replace them by plastic (will look almost as good, not necessarily achieve the desired impact). If you use them as tools (e.g. silverware to eat with) other, more common metals (nickel, brass) can replace them. In some other uses e.g. gold is needed for electric circuits it is very hard to replace it.
-How can non-renewable (and renewable) resources be reused or put back into the environment?
Reuse is always the easiest way, just use the resource again for the same thing it was designed for (bring plastic bags from previous use to the supermarket instead of using new ones) or for another use (use supermarket plastic bags to wrap your trash instead of using a new trash bag). Recycle is also a good way – separate the used resources to its different materials, reprocess those materials and use it as raw material for new tools and applications.
Dr. Bohrer,
I am a seventh grade student and Nagel Middle School in Cincinnati, Ohio. In my social studies class, we are researching the problems that led to the downfall of Rome, in an effort to think of ways to prevent or possibly fix them. My assigned topic is the concern of Rome's overuse of natural resources. In addition to the research I've already done, I would very much appreciate if you'd answer some questions I still have about environmental engineering.
-What types of engineering we have today that are used to spend natural resources more efficiently, so that they are not used so quickly?
-What replacements are there for the natural resources such as silver, gold, and lumber in various projects like building and trade?
-How can non-renewable (and renewable) resources be reused or put back into the environment?
Thank you very much for your time,
Cathryn Murphy
Nagel Middle School Student
LINK TO PREZI:
http://prezi.com/stnw3ydelkcj/the-roman-time-machine/?kw=view-stnw3ydelkcj&rc=ref-29255873